Thomas D. Heekin Jr. will become a judge on the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court on June 6 after his appointment by Gov. John R. Kasich on May 31 to fill a vacancy.

Heekin must win in the Nov. 8 general election to retain the seat for the full six-year term commencing Jan. 4, 2017. Heekin replaces retired Judge John A. West.

Heekin received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado in 1983 and his law degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1988. He was admitted to the practice of law in Ohio on Nov. 7, 1988. Heekin has served as a criminal litigator for Heekin & Heekin since 2002.

He is a member of the Ohio State and Cincinnati bar associations and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.